UK: Lockdown 2 Portraits | anniebungeroth

Unfamiliar Distance

Life in lockdown 2

no more than a mile from home

Goldsithney . St Hilary . Rosudgeon

It has definitely been different for me during lockdown 2 but with the same feelings of uncertainty.

I gave birth to a baby girl in August, luckily having my husband by my side during the birth but covid restrictions stopped him from visiting before and after. I found it tough recovering from labour and attending to my new baby’s needs on my own. I couldn’t wait to get home.

With my two older children very excitedly attending school again, I found myself thinking a lot more about what the future may hold for us all. Especially by a comment which was made by one of my health visitors during her visit, which really stuck in my head, ‘It is scary what we are bringing our children into.’ But I have faith we will all come together again, where I am able to let my daughter experience baby play groups to socialise and be able to pass the baby to someone else, rather than the people in my bubble.

We can find the good in every dark place.

Louise & Hali

Tom - How I loved it when we were all at home more! Now it’s colder, rainier and less fun. I get to go to work with Mummy sometimes which does at least mean some different walks while we are out and about. I’m looking forward to Summer again now- maybe even another full lockdown!

Chris - The second lockdown hasn’t really been a lockdown at all for me as I have been back full time teaching in schools. It is different with masks, distancing and various other ‘rules’ supposedly in place but young people bring a lot of joy especially as they can talk about things other than Covid-19! I’m happy to be with colleagues too. Making music face to face with everyone again is wonderful and with a bit of imagination lots more has been possible than I first thought - even plenty of singing. Music feels more important than ever now and I certainly won’t take it for granted anymore.

Joni Mitchell's words from 'Big Yellow Taxi' come to me -

"Don't it always seem to go ... that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...."

I never enjoyed shopping until Covid-19 turned it into a potentially hazardous necessity, but this pandemic seems to have brought out both the best and worst in us whilst undertaking everyday tasks. I miss physical contact with family and friends 350 miles away under Tier 3, not that it was a regular occurrence, but the opportunity being denied by current circumstances is both saddening, frustrating and yet a necessity.

Gazing at my ageing face whilst shaving every morning, ever more conscious of the lottery of life, I can look back and feel immensely grateful that the disruption wrought worldwide by Covid-19 triggered a series of minor events and big decisions that lead to me happily living here with someone dear from my past in this little corner of Cornwall.

It is with enormous thanks that it is not only the courage, care and support given by my partner Colleen, but her friends, neighbours and family that have made this stranger welcome. I had always thought I would be enjoying my later life in Anglesey, off North Wales, but this western country reminds me so strongly of the similar landscapes, the wild cliffs and seas, the weatherbeaten land - the people also, strong, forthright, kindly and proud.

Covid-19 has changed my future, our future, luckily for the better, unlike many, so I am happy to count my blessings James

It almost shames me to say, but for this dreadful virus I would not be in this happy and joyous situation that I now find myself in – with James who, after 54 years, is back in my life. We look after ourselves, care for each other and hopefully, when this disease is eradicated, we can enjoy our beautiful countryside, grow old(er) together and once more spend time with family and good friends.

Colleen

Colleen, James & Pip

I'm bored with it now

Martin

Fundraising for the Flicka Donkey Sanctuary during the 1st Lockdown just had to continue. The Sanctuary had to remain closed to the public and their little gift shop and Tea Room which brought in vital funds had to close too. The Sanctuary depended on donations. There was no help from the Government.

To give up was not an option. Coffee mornings and Boot sales were out of the question

so selling plants outside my house in the summer was very successful.

However 2nd Lockdown was not so easy so I had to come up with another idea. I decided to make face masks to sell and sold them locally online. Often working into the night. This gave me something to focus on and also raised much needed funds to care for the 100 Donkeys at the Sanctuary.

Nell

For me lockdownV2 has been a tad more difficult than the first one,mainly, I think, because of the shorter days and of course the wet weather.

Doug’s work has continued without disruption but my work in the studio has been really affected because of the light and so it has been a case of a couple of hours here and a couple of hours there.

Happily though my second love is cooking and so it has given me the opportunity to spend more time in the kitchen.

We are looking forward to having friends and family around and with a vaccine on the horizon, hopefully by next Christmas we’ll all be able to celebrate properly.

Until then it’s going to be a case of doing the right thing and keeping everyone safe

Mary

The second lockdown was nothing like the first for me. I still went to school and most of the school clubs were still running. I missed the sports like tennis and swimming that keep me fit. I played a lot more guitar at home especially with my brother. I felt more relaxed because life was a bit less hectic with less things to do.

Harry

“Like so many others we at Goldsithney Post Office have worked throughout the pandemic crisis. How we now work day to day and deal with the ever changing restrictions has kept us on our toes. Sometimes exhausting, sometimes frustrating but always challenging. Whatever the future may hold hopefully Mary and I will continue to provide Post Office services with our usual sense of humour

Shann, Goldsithney Post Office

Joanne, Godsithney Store

Once we got used to the eerie silence of lockdown(s) inside a normally vibrant public house, we set about keeping ourselves busy with a huge list of minor renovation jobs inside and out. For example we sanded down almost every wooden surface and then rebuilt with several layers of varnish. The two bars in the pub were installed in 1976, and by the looks of the surface wear and tear we assume they haven't been restored since then. Hopefully the work we have done will keep the pub feeling welcoming for many years to come.

We did worry for some of our single customers for whom the pub is a social lifeline, but we were happy in July when we were allowed to (safely) interact again, and look forward to the end of the current (second) lockdown. We find it strange to say this, but on a personal level (finances-aside) we enjoyed the lockdown(s); a real break from the normal busy lifestyle inside a public house.

Damien & Teresa, The Trevelyan Arms Goldsithney

Elaine, the veg stall

In the bedroom of our new extension having a tea party. The building didn’t exist in lockdown 1 but already feels like it’s been here forever. Having something to focus on other than COVID has been very good especially as other health problems have thrown more challenges than any of us could have possibly expected. It has been very good having the support of each other in our small household. I have also valued my neighbours and friends who have been able to stay in touch by email and text and WhatsApp. Technology has made the lockdown more bearable.

Kate, Anya & Duncan

Through drizzle, wind, heat, mist and rain those precious people turned up for class until the dark evenings of October finally stopped us from exercising together.

We managed 2/3weeks inside St Pirans Hall and then we were placed in lockdown 2.

With good will to help keep our clients morale lifted and their spirits motivated during the long miserable days ahead we lent out our trampolines.

But Lockdown 3 couldn’t beat us, this time we had the technology. We welcomed Zoom into our fitness lives and through screens, some big and some very small, we could see each other and exercise together again.

Now we continue to chat, listen, bounce, jump and exercise but most of all we look after each other and in these challenging times everybody needs someone.

Nikki & Tom & Archie

Physically working on the dolls cottage has been a complete change from all the Virtual meetings I have had during lock down. It’s been good to get away from an IT screen between those meetings and to plan and physically put the project together from scratch.

Sue

Heidi

Brian

With lockdown 2 it was nice to still go to school but with everything else cancelled, it took away the clubs and other activities but still left the aspect of regularity in normal life unlike Lockdown 1. The second lockdown didn’t feel like a lockdown at all to me as one week we had ‘tiers’ then the next was lockdown it all was very similar and I remember not even realising at the end that it was over.

Byron

Father Jeff, Rural Dean of Penwith, Team Vicar in the Mount’s Bay United Benefice

The second lockdown hasn't felt like a lockdown to me. I have been working throughout, as I did through the first one.

One difference I have observed is a disappointing and worrying exploitation of the situation (and the climate of fear) to bring in money saving efficiencies. This is going on in the public sector and combined with a pay freeze announcement, has left those of us who were applauded as key workers back in the spring feeling demoralised and concerned about what the future holds.

Adam

L1 was a giggle and took us on wild walks but L2 gave us time by the fire and the chance to reassess and look inside. Out came the tarot and now were moving house! The dark time of year is a lovely chance to rest and dream.

The only dreary thing was the postponement of the Geothermal pool trip. I've knitted more socks and hats while Kat is making more beautiful silver and wooden jewellery pieces.

We're looking forward to being unlocked properly after the Saturn Jupiter great conjunction at the sosltice - what magic!

Jane & Kat

Whilst in the second lockdown I decided instead of watching Netflix while I wasn’t at work I would do some studying. As I work at a GP Surgery I thought I would update my first aid skills and so I enrolled in an online learning course to do a First Aid Diploma

I thoroughly enjoyed it having to write short assessments for each module something I’ve not had to do for a long time. I passed with distinction and am now looking at other courses to do to improve my learning and general knowledge.

Tara

We have found this second lockdown more tedious than the first. With the shorter days and changeable weather we have spent more time indoors and are feeling the effects of too little exercise. Keeping up with the 'lockdown lingo' of R rates, bubbles and tiers can be overwhelming, and as for conspiracy theorists....! The creative urge has been virtually non-existent, and instead we have spent more time on the computer or travelling the globe from our armchairs courtesy of YouTube, or uplifting ourselves with wonderful wildlife films. Sophie's twice daily walks have added some necessary structure into our otherwise empty diaries. We feel as though we're 'treading water' waiting for our normal lives to resume.

Jo, Don and Sophie

Emma, Tom, Elsie, Ravi, Miles & Molly

Belinda & Jack